quick start – scala made simple

4th Feb 2010 (09:37:23) by Simon

Scala has unveiled their latest offering for digital signage – ‘Quick Start’.  This brand new offering provides a simple and easy interface for a digital signage network. The great news is that it still keeps the reliability and functionality of Scala’s proven Player software but adds a friendly and cost-effective entry point to their software solution.

If you’re looking for a reliable, yet low-cost entry level digital signage solution from a company who have been doing this for decades, then Quick Start is the solution for you.

Get in touch for more information...

Snippet from Scala press release (full release here >):

• Simple, straightforward graphics user interface
• Scheduling of content to single output player device
• All major Scala supported content types; including video, images, Flash, interactive content and Scala scripts
• RSS, metadata and message templates
• User levels and concurrent multi-user support
• Landscape and portrait orientation
• Multi-language support

when time is of the essence

6th Nov 2009 (16:37:59) by Peter

In 2007, the Beaver Group was approached by a global pharmaceutical company and asked to deliver a digital signage system for their US and UK headquarters. Since this original meeting, digital signage has been rolled out across their headquarters, recently completed in October 2009.

Key to this project is the simple and swift method which corporate messages are now distributed using Scala InfoChannel 5, with consistency and uniformity of design.

Using digital signage, our client has fulfilled a real business requirement which could not have otherwise been as successfully managed. Beaver Solutions (part of the Beaver Group) provided a complete system which will change and grow with any future requirements and office locations.

The Requirement

As a public limited company, our client is required to provide shareholders with quarterly financial reports. These reports are released to the stock exchange first at noon, meaning that in the past staff in the offices did’t always find out the details of the report at the same time as other stakeholders.

It’s important for all the staff made aware of the report results, as it can dramatically effect the business as a whole. The turn-around time for the release of this information is very short (only an hour from release to the communications team), so a system was needed to quickly upload the financial data and display it to staff in a clear and simple way.

In addition, our client also wanted to improve the delivery of information and corporate communications throughout their offices; whilst staff move throughout the building and are away from their desks.

The Solution

Beaver Solutions recently developed a custom web-based templated application, ready for population by the communciations team, which allows data for the financial reports to be uploaded and displayed throughout the offices, in time for the noon announcement. The data is simply uploaded and the system automatically puts it into pre-approved content templates. The content can then be scheduled, so it is displayed at the right time.

In addition to the quarterly reports, the digital signage is used to distribute web-casts, live TV, news headlines and a variety of specific targeted messaging. These regular messages are also controlled by our client and distributed throughout the US and UK headquarters.

For this digital signage solution, Beaver Solutions provided the content design, templates, Scala software, training and on-going support for their offices and staff.

The Benefits

Communications throughout the offices are now quick, easy and consistent with the rest of their other corporate communications. The quarterly reports reach the staff at the same time as other stakeholders, meaning everyone has the same level of information.

total media and the digital signage show

28th Sep 2009 (16:31:09) by Andy

This week there is both the Self-Service Expo/Digital Signage Show at Olympia, London and Total Media at IFEMA, Madrid. Holding a conference on digital signage solutions in hospitality at Total Media will be Peter Critchley, Managing Director; and presenting a seminar on end-to-end project management for Showcase Cinemas at the Digital Signage Show will be Barry Thurston, Group Chairman.

You will find Beaver Group at the Self-Service Expo/Digital Signage Show education programme at 2:30pm on Wednesday 30th September.

Or if you are going to Total Media, you can attend the conference and open discussion in Auditorium 1 at 4:00pm on Thursday 1st October.

Discover more

At both of these sessions you’ll have the opportunity to see an in-depth look at the successful project management of a large scale, award-winning digital signage solution for Showcase Cinemas. As well as find out more about the design and technical challenges needed to be overcome, in order to deliver the high-end and integrated installation. There is the opportunity for a first-hand look at the content creation techniques and of course a chance to ask any questions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

advanced av and digital signage for ericsson

3rd Aug 2009 (12:29:02) by Jon

Beaver Solutions, part of the Beaver Group, is the long-term provider of digital signage and audio visual solutions for Ericsson UK. In 2007, Ericsson began plans for a new research and development headquarters at the technology centre at Ansty Park, Coventry.

Beaver Solutions was involved right from the beginning, working with Ericsson, the architects and contractors to design a large scale, connected internal communication system for the two new R&D buildings. A combined AV network was designed and installed for all the conference rooms, meeting rooms, break-out areas and training rooms, along with multi-function rooms and fully integrated digital signage.

Large scale audio visual

The goal was to use the latest AV technology so that each of the 25 rooms could show multiple inputs. The connected AV system runs throughout the two large Ericsson buildings, linked together via a fibre network. In any of the AV connected rooms, the Mitsubishi DLP professional projector is able to switch between a laptop feed, Ericsson’s internal ‘Spotlight TV’ and variety of TV feeds.

The system will allow screens and projectors across the site to show announcements and employee briefings, streamed live by the Managing Director, from any of the UK sites.

Multi-function area

The restaurant for the two new buildings is has been designed to be used as a multi-function area. In its default state, the restaurant serves the 600 Ericsson employees and digital signage screens nearby run Ericsson’s internal communications channel. The space has been designed to be split as required, so that half of the room can be used as an auditorium for large conferences, meetings or MD announcements, through a number of controllable feeds.

The room features a 9-foot recessed electric screen, projector, lectern and AMX control system to manage the system. There are also dedicated separate audio zones (as well as induction loops), meaning that audio can be distributed to specific areas of the room.

Presentations within the restaurant can also be shown throughout the whole site, through the use of Ericsson’s connected AV network.

Internal digital signage

Digital signage is also installed throughout the two buildings, delivering real-time communications for Ericsson with their internal ‘Spotlight TV’. Like the AV, the LCD and Plasma screens are completely dynamic, able to show a variety of inputs through the Scala driven digital signage system. (Take a look at this 3-minute video >)

Beaver Solutions designed and project managed the delivery of this AV and digital signage solution, from its conception two years ago, through to installation and on-going support. The on-site installation took three weeks and adds the finishing touches to this impressive site.

This project has helped create a professional, high-tech building which delivers improved communications throughout Ericsson and establishes Ansty Park as an international R&D location in the West Midlands.

beavers in july

3rd Aug 2009 (12:17:01) by Andy

This July, Beaver Design has been working on a number of client’s projects, as well as some internal improvements.

We’ve delivered the website for the newly formed Tudor Facilities Management, who we also provided with branding and stationery last month.

For the hair foil company Foila, we’re in the process of finalising their new site (which is already looking very good), but you can take a sneak peak at www.foila.com.

Beaver Design has also provided some design and print for the telecommunications company Ericsson, with some DVD covers, inlays and posters for their 2012 Strategy.

Watch this space...

Our design team and web developers have been designing a number of new things for the Beaver Group.

Firstly, the main Beaver Group website is being given a whole redevelopment (Beaver Design is a part of Beaver Group).

We’ve also got an exciting project coming up which is going to hopefully generate a lot of interest and buzz. It’s not only going to be a useful tool, but it should be a nice bit of fun.

So watch this space (and the space around our office...)!